T-Mobile Frontier LTE Version: SIMPLE YES OR NO?!

[ratsttam]

That doesn't sound right. If your watch will act independently, it has to have an active line regardless of the number it sends to caller ID. You still have to pay for the line to access the network, they just reconfigure the sim to duplicate your phone's number for sending and receiving.

When I signed up for Digits, they gave me a NEW number for my watch, AND a "duplicate line" number (thankfully I didn't use the watch number for anything)
If I call out from my watch, it shows up as the same number as my phone. [txt does the same in all following examples]
If I receive a call on my primary number, both phone and watch ring.
If I receive a call on my "duplicate line" number, both phone and watch ring.
If I receive a call on my specific watch number, only the watch rings.
As far as anyone is concerned, they only need to know about the primary phone number, they will never see the duplicate or watch number anywhere.
The Digits service is still in beta, so not everybody can sign up for it yet. Although I have not come across any issues with it, there may be quirks that need addressed that are preventing it from being stable enough for general usage.

The only "bug" I have found [ok, it's probably expected behavior], is that my watch is paired via Bluetooth at least 98% of the time. When it comes off Bluetooth and hits the cell network, any texts that I've received on my phone (and watch via BT), come in AGAIN as texts sent to the watch. It can get pretty annoying especially if I had a lot of conversation going on since last cellular connected.

 

[PookiePrancer]

DIGITS won't be out of beta any time soon. After more than a month, they still haven't been able to figure out why the setup fails to work for me from their end. Apparently, reconfiguring the esim isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Every tech I've spoken with has said there's still a lot of issues with it. Looking forward to it though!

 

[Blumini06]

DIGITS won't be out of beta any time soon. After more than a month, they still haven't been able to figure out why the setup fails to work for me from their end. Apparently, reconfiguring the esim isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Every tech I've spoken with has said there's still a lot of issues with it. Looking forward to it though!

I guess that is why they are doing Beta to isolate the kinks prior to releasing it officially. Digits has been a convenient experience for me. Since I've use it I never have to set my phone for call forwarding and saves battery. All I have to do is.keep my watch as stand alone and thats it. Its been an awesome experience so far.

 

[afblangley]

I guess that is why they are doing Beta to isolate the kinks prior to releasing it officially. Digits has been a convenient experience for me. Since I've use it I never have to set my phone for call forwarding and saves battery. All I have to do is.keep my watch as stand alone and thats it. Its been an awesome experience so far.

Are you really running standalone (instead of remotely connected)? Calls and texts will be forwarded in SA, but how are you getting notifications from your phone?

My smartphone stays at home connected to Wi-Fi. It doesn't even have a SIM installed. So long as it's on (RC), I get notifications for email, Hangouts, etc. If it's powered off (SA), those notifications don't get passed thru.

I don't know of any advantage to running SA vs RC. If you do, please tell.

 

[BOSSY TEXAS CHICK]

The S3 has three ways of connecting to a smartphone. BT/Wi-Fi, remote connected, and standalone. In BT mode, the watch piggybacks off the phone's connection for everything (including calls on non LTE models). In remote connection mode the watch uses it's cellular radio to communicate with a smartphone (regardless of geographic distance). In standalone mode, the watch doesn't communicate with a phone at all (but via it's own cellular can make and receive calls, texts, and data).

Call forwarding can be present or absent in any of those modes. For example, if I forward my cellphone number to my watch number, incoming calls will be routed to my watch, regardless of what mode it is in. Similarly, GV numbers (and Digits numbers to the extent that it works across carriers) forwards their incoming calls to the numbers associated with each device that's registered with it.

Implementers varies depending on the service. For me, as a GV user, setup was simple and took less than a minute. I logged into my GV account and added the watch's number to my list of devices. After that, I setup the S3: paired the watch with a smartphone to pull down my list of contacts and downloaded the Android Wear app in order to get Hangouts notifications. Regardless of whether my watch is tethered to a smartphone, remote connected to it from miles away, or it's powered off completely, incoming calls come thru and outgoing calls preserve my CID. It works flawlessly.

Thanks again for all the "detailed" replies...REALLY helpful ...So back to my "simple yes or no" question : )

Without "Digits" and without GV, when my T-mobile S3 Frontier watch is using "remote connection", am i supposed to be able to make calls (in addition to receiving them) with my phone's cell number regardless of WHERE the phone is? And what about incoming & outgoing texts?

i guess i'm also confused about "Remote connection" and "call forwarding".... Does one need the other?

Thanx!

Just a side note, even with all the confusion surrounding setup, i still stand by the statement this is the best piece of wearable tech out there... i had "totally sniffed my nose" at Tizen for the 2 or 3 years it was out, but have to say, it, "slaps Android Wear. up & down the block" on a daily basis with its smoothness.....i LOVE the watch : )

BTC

 

[ratsttam]

Thanks again for all the "detailed" replies...REALLY helpful ...So back to my "simple yes or no" question : )

Without "Digits" and without GV, when my T-mobile S3 Frontier watch is using "remote connection", am i supposed to be able to make calls (in addition to receiving them) with my phone's cell number regardless of WHERE the phone is? And what about incoming & outgoing texts?

i guess i'm also confused about "Remote connection" and "call forwarding".... Does one need the other?

Thanx!

Just a side note, even with all the confusion surrounding setup, i still stand by the statement this is the best piece of wearable tech out there... i had "totally sniffed my nose" at Tizen for the 2 or 3 years it was out, but have to say, it, "slaps Android Wear. up & down the block" on a daily basis with its smoothness.....i LOVE the watch : )

BTC

I think the takeaway here, is that this isn't a simple Yes/No kind of question.

So here goes:

When in "standalone" mode, the watch isn't connected to the phone, and will use it's own number for calls/texts. Remote connection builds on this to allow you to get texts and other data sent from your phone. It uses the data connection to communicate with the samsung servers like a "bridge" between your watch and phone.
Auto Forwarding options adjust your phone to send calls to your watch when they're not connected via BT, and changes the settings back when they're connected again. [edit], no, they're not reliant on each other, and can be used separately.

In this mode (without all the Digits/Numbersync(at&t)/gvoice) you can get calls FROM your main number (having it forwarded to your watch number), but outgoing calls and texts will come from your watch specific number.

 

[afblangley]

When in "standalone" mode, the watch isn't connected to the phone, and will use it's own number for calls/texts. Remote connection builds on this to allow you to get texts and other data sent from your phone. It uses the data connection to communicate with the samsung servers like a "bridge" between your watch and phone.
Auto Forwarding options adjust your phone to send calls to your watch when they're not connected via BT, and changes the settings back when they're connected again. [edit], no, they're not reliant on each other, and can be used separately.

No.
Don't mix connection mode with call forwarding. Preserving CID is a function of how the service (GV, Digits, NumberSync) works. I don't know if Digits uses auto forwarding, GV certainty does not. Calls and texts can be made and received regardless of connection mode, subject to the constraints of the service. For example, with GV, incoming calls and texts are controlled at the server level, not any phone or watch settings. Outgoing CID is a function of using the GV assigned numbers for the contacts. So whether the watch is in SA or RC, or BT the result is the same.

Perhaps someone using Digits can provide a detailed explanation of how it works and what the settings options are for it.

 

[Blumini06]

No.
Don't mix connection mode with call forwarding. Preserving CID is a function of how the service (GV, Digits, NumberSync) works. I don't know if Digits uses auto forwarding, GV certainty does not. Calls and texts can be made and received regardless of connection mode, subject to the constraints of the service. For example, with GV, incoming calls and texts are controlled at the server level, not any phone or watch settings. Outgoing CID is a function of using the GV assigned numbers for the contacts. So whether the watch is in SA or RC, or BT the result is the same.

Perhaps someone using Digits can provide a detailed explanation of how it works and what the settings options are for it.

If everything is set up correctly using the Digits, there are no other setting required. Assuming you are chosen for as a Beta user, all you have to do is put your watch in stand alone mode and test it. Make a phone call from it and have someone text you.

 

[afblangley]

If everything is set up correctly using the Digits, there are no other setting required. Assuming you are chosen for as a Beta user, all you have to do is put your watch in stand alone mode and test it. Make a phone call from it and have someone text you.

How exactly does Digits work?
If it's server based, then the watch shouldn't need to be in SA mode, it should work the same in RC also. And BT.

 

[PookiePrancer]

Remote connection is possible with wifi. If your phone is connected to the internet, by any means, it can pass notifications to the watch while it's on BT or wifi. So, I can leave my phone at home, go to the YMCA with open wifi, and get notifications from the phone on the watch. That's NOT standalone. That's remote connection.

In standalone mode, your watch is on its own. It is not connected to your phone at all (you've placed the phone in airplane mode or turned it off). The watch relies on its cellular antenna, or free and open wifi networks. Unfortunately, with T-Mobile, the watch needs its own number to connect on their network. Every call you make, or text you send, will be from the WATCH'S number. You will receive phone calls and texts only if people trying to reach you use the WATCH'S number.

DIGITS is supposed to fix that by replicating your phone's number on the watch. The watch still uses its own line, but calls and texts are routed to it though your phone's number. In theory.

 

[BOSSY TEXAS CHICK]

Remote connection is possible with wifi. If your phone is connected to the internet, by any means, it can pass notifications to the watch while it's on BT or wifi. So, I can leave my phone at home, go to the YMCA with open wifi, and get notifications from the phone on the watch. That's NOT standalone. That's remote connection.

In standalone mode, your watch is on its own. It is not connected to your phone at all (you've placed the phone in airplane mode or turned it off). The watch relies on its cellular antenna, or free and open wifi networks. Unfortunately, with T-Mobile, the watch needs its own number to connect on their network. Every call you make, or text you send, will be from the WATCH'S number. You will receive phone calls and texts only if people trying to reach you use the WATCH'S number.

DIGITS is supposed to fix that by replicating your phone's number on the watch. The watch still uses its own line, but calls and texts are routed to it though your phone's number. In theory.

Thank you SOOOOO much for all the breakdowns! Have gained MORE of a clear understanding of all of this in the past 3 days in this post than the 6 weeks i've owned it & of googling my little heart out...So many of those articles kinda touched on this or that but never "s-p-e-l-l-e-d it out like y'all did!!

ty ty ty all who replied!!

BTC

 

[Blumini06]

Remote connection is possible with wifi. If your phone is connected to the internet, by any means, it can pass notifications to the watch while it's on BT or wifi. So, I can leave my phone at home, go to the YMCA with open wifi, and get notifications from the phone on the watch. That's NOT standalone. That's remote connection.

In standalone mode, your watch is on its own. It is not connected to your phone at all (you've placed the phone in airplane mode or turned it off). The watch relies on its cellular antenna, or free and open wifi networks. Unfortunately, with T-Mobile, the watch needs its own number to connect on their network. Every call you make, or text you send, will be from the WATCH'S number. You will receive phone calls and texts only if people trying to reach you use the WATCH'S number.

DIGITS is supposed to fix that by replicating your phone's number on the watch. The watch still uses its own line, but calls and texts are routed to it though your phone's number. In theory.

Well said!

 

[dshrum84]

The only "bug" I have found [ok, it's probably expected behavior], is that my watch is paired via Bluetooth at least 98% of the time. When it comes off Bluetooth and hits the cell network, any texts that I've received on my phone (and watch via BT), come in AGAIN as texts sent to the watch. It can get pretty annoying especially if I had a lot of conversation going on since last cellular connected.

I only connect via BT every other day to sync calendars, S Health, etc or to download faces/apps. Otherwise I just leave it SA/RC. You'll probably see better battery life out of both watch and phone without a constant BT connection after the initial adjustment period for the power management software. Getting all your notifications to all devices is the designed function of Digits so it doesn't surprise me that it will send everything you "missed" while the watch wasn't on the LTE network.

 

[dshrum84]

Are you really running standalone (instead of remotely connected)? Calls and texts will be forwarded in SA, but how are you getting notifications from your phone?

My watch hasn't gone to RC today for some reason and I just got a notification from an app on my phone that's supposed to send to the watch. The notification didn't show up on the watch.

 

[afblangley]

In standalone mode, your watch is on its own. It is not connected to your phone at all (you've placed the phone in airplane mode or turned it off). The watch relies on its cellular antenna, or free and open wifi networks. Unfortunately, with T-Mobile, the watch needs its own number to connect on their network. Every call you make, or text you send, will be from the WATCH'S number. You will receive phone calls and texts only if people trying to reach you use the WATCH'S number.

The S3 cannot make calls via WiFi. When connected via BT, the watch is merely a remote set of controls for the phone, it doesn't have a it's own connection to the cellular network. This is why the Classic and non LTE Frontier can't really make phone calls/texts.

There is really only one way the watch can make/receive calls- through its cellular radio. All devices (ie. phones, tablets, watches, hotspots) that connect to any carrier's cellular network, must have a unique number assigned to them. The connection mode has nothing to do with how calls are routed or caller ID. How this is handled is determined by the service (Digits, GV, NumberSync).

For example, if I leave my phone in my car and wear my watch while I go for a run, they will RC to each other via cellular towers. If I place a call/text, AT&T's network will identify my watch based on the number it's assigned the device (my watch number), GV servers will recognize this number and though thier technology, the recipient of my call will see my GV number (not my watch number). Now, let's say my phone runs out of juice and shuts off. My watch will see the connection is lost and switch to SA mode. If I place a call/text, AT&T's network will still identify the watch, GV will still do it's technological magic, and my GV number will still be displayed to the reciepiant. The connection mode has no bearing on this result, it is a function of how GV works. Digits is designed to work similarly, but I don't know the technology behind it.

 

[PookiePrancer]

@afblangley

Right. My point was that, with T-Mobile, there is no NumberSync, so the watch has to use its own number.

I haven't set the watch up with my GV number. From what I've read of the people who have, they say that the watch will broadcast its own number in standalone, and not the GV number. If you're seeing that, it's interesting, and I'll try it. Not really sure how that's working for you, since even the phone will broadcast a different number depending on whether the native, or Hangouts/GV dialer is used.

That being said, T-Mobile finally set DIGITS up for me properly, and my phone's number is fully replicated on the watch now. I can make and receive all communications from it in standalone mode as if it were my actual cell phone.

 

[afblangley]

I haven't set the watch up with my GV number. From what I've read of the people who have, they say that the watch will broadcast its own number in standalone, and not the GV number. If you're seeing that, it's interesting, and I'll try it. Not really sure how that's working for you, since even the phone will broadcast a different number depending on whether the native, or Hangouts/GV dialer is used.

I'm not a tech head, so I can only explain it empirically. GV assigns a unique alias number to each contact's phone number. If that number is used to initiate calls/texts, the sender's GV number will be transmitted. The GV app automates this process on devices running Android or iOS. For devices running any other OS, the process has to be done manually. Either by hand or by adding the alias number to each contact’s profile. Though tedious, once saved, its accessible from any device that can pull from that source (ie. Google, Hotmail).

I had already modified my contact list for a previous device, so setting up the S3 was simply a matter of adding the watch's phone number to my GV account and downloading my contacts to the watch. Since I no longer carry a phone, I keep the S3 in RC mode via cellular (rather than SA) so that I can receive notifications.

With Digits, it seems like T-Mobile is developing a back end to automate some of the heavy lifting that GV users need to do since Google isn’t a carrier. I think that's great, and we consumers benefit from the competition. It may be what spurs Google to spend some attention on GV.

 

[Ntchwaidumela]

Even if you don't have DIGITS, merely turn on Forwarding on your phone and choose the options when you want your phone calls and messages forwarded, then enter your watch's number. All calls to the phone will be forwarded via the LTE network or if you have your watch paired to a WiFi site.

 

[Blumini06]

Even if you don't have DIGITS, merely turn on Forwarding on your phone and choose the options when you want your phone calls and messages forwarded, then enter your watch's number. All calls to the phone will be forwarded via the LTE network or if you have your watch paired to a WiFi site.

 

[Blumini06]

The only downside for using call forwarding is the battery life.